TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is downplaying chances for a quick resolution of the team's search for a new starting quarterback.
While not specifically addressing the potential acquisition of Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles, Whisenhunt said there is just too much involved to complete any kind of deal Tuesday, although he added "it's not for lack of trying."
Teams were allowed to begin trading for players at 7 a.m. PDT, and Whisenhunt said that probably wasn't enough time to finish any agreement in one day.
"We're waiting. We've made proposals. We've talked. We've exchanged ideas," he said, "but to get something nailed down and then to think that you're going to get something worked out, whether it's a trade or even just a contract, especially when you have other teams involved, it's going to be difficult."
He declined to confirm reports that Arizona is offering cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as part of a trade for Kolb, the Eagles' backup to Michael Vick who has expressed hope of being dealt to the Cardinals. Such a trade would include a draft pick and probably would require Arizona reaching a multiyear contract agreement with the quarterback.
Cardinals employees joined others around NFL in getting some good news Tuesday.
Team President Michael Bidwill told employees at their regular meeting that the team would reimburse any pay that was lost because of layoffs or furloughs during the lockout.
At a news conference Tuesday, Whisenhunt described the frenzy of activity as the Cardinals worked to re-sign players, sign undrafted rookie free agents, work out deals with other free agents, sign draft picks and look into possible trades.
"I think the best way to say it is whatever you can imagine, it's probably worse than that," he said. "There is multitasking at its most furious."
At the top of the list is finding a quarterback. The deficiency at that position after the retirement of Kurt Warner was a major reason the team dropped from two-time NFC West champion to a 5-11 record, the worst in Whisenhunt's four seasons in Arizona.
"There's a number of quarterbacks out there that we're obviously in discussions or trying to make moves on to get something worked out," Whisenhunt said. "There's other teams doing the same thing. It's not that you just call up and, 'Hey, we've got a deal. OK, it's done.' You have to negotiate. You have to talk about difference scenarios. Then they have to go back and discuss it, then they have to call you back, and other teams are in the mix.
"It is a process, but like I said I feel very good about our plan and how we're going to execute that plan. Hopefully we'll have success in the very near future."
The team agreed to terms with tight end Jeff King on a three-year deal Tuesday.
King started 62 games in his five seasons with the Carolina Panthers, with 112 receptions for 923 yards and nine touchdowns.
"Arizona is a good fit for me," King said late Tuesday night. "I think just schematically I fit in well with what they do. So I'm looking forward to it."
"That's a talented team and they're just a couple of years removed from being in the Super Bowl," King said.
Players are to report to Cardinals headquarters on Thursday, then have their physicals on Friday before traveling north to Flagstaff for a mandatory team meeting later Friday. Whisenhunt said he hoped to have 70 players ready to participate in the first practice at Northern Arizona University on Saturday.
Free agents who sign with Arizona and were not with the team last year will be unable to practice until Aug. 4. That would also apply to any player acquired in a trade but signed to a new contract, something that could apply to Kolb. That doesn't leave much time for the team to be ready for its first preseason game Aug. 11 at Oakland.
Fifteen Cardinals are unrestricted free agents, including starting guard Deuce Lutui and starting center Lyle Sendlein. With the retirement of guard Alan Faneca, Arizona is without the entire interior of its offensive line.
"We are aggressive pursuing a number of different options at those positions," Whisenhunt said, "some of which include our own players. We're trying to get that done."
Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who made an appearance at the team's headquarters Tuesday, said it's a special challenge to the veteran players.
"It's going to be tough," he said. "This is when you have to have true leaders on your team that's very mature. We don't have a lot of days to get ready for our first preseason game, so everything is going to be snapping. We'll have to be focused and guys like myself and Adrian Wilson and Larry (Fitzgerald) and Levi Brown, guys like that, are going to have to take over their group and push it to the next level."
He said he will tolerate no complaining from his teammates.
"I really think that no one should be going on the field saying they're tired, they're sore, anything like that," Dockett said. "You had seven months off, so we really don't have no excuses about anything, just getting the job done."
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